Liberal Arts Services

"The Future of Europe"

Talk by Joschka Fischer, Former Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany

Posted: March 19, 2012

Dear Faculty, Students and Staff,

The LBJ School, along with UT's Center for European Studies, the Institute for Historical Studies and the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law, will be hosting one of the most popular politicians in Germany and all of Europe, former German Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany Joseph "Joschka" Fischer, on Thursday evening, March 22, at the LBJ Library on the 10th Floor.

I encourage you all to take advantage of this rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who has had such a remarkable career as a public servant, party activist and a pioneer of democracy in Europe. Not afraid to press his agenda and ask tough, challenging questions, Mr. Fischer's passion and moral commitment have left an enduring legacy in creating a vision for the future of Europe. Beginning his political career as a student revolutionary, Mr. Fischer renounced violence as a means of political change after witnessing a series of terrorist attacks, choosing instead to join the political process as a legislator with the Green Party. He quickly rose in prominence in the party and as a global statesman.

We are especially pleased that a statesman who has revolutionized diplomatic practice can be with us to mark the launch of the LBJ School's exciting new multi-disciplinary initiative, "Reinventing Diplomacy." This program, which Jeremi Suri and I are leading, brings together colleagues from the College of Liberal Arts and School of Law as well as the LBJ School, with the aim of promoting a renaissance among the next generation of diplomatic leaders.

We look forward to seeing you all for what promises to be a memorable evening.